Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT) Sees Large Volume Increase – Here’s Why

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPT) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 5,442,851 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 16% from the previous session’s volume of 6,487,159 shares.The stock last traded at $4.9190 and had previously closed at $5.36.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MPT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Maxim Group started coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $8.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Medical Properties Trust from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings initiated coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. They set a “sell (d-)” rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Medical Properties Trust currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $6.75.

Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.63, a current ratio of 2.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. The company has a market cap of $3.01 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.95 and a beta of 1.39.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.15 by ($0.12). Medical Properties Trust had a negative return on equity of 5.87% and a negative net margin of 28.50%.The business had revenue of $270.34 million for the quarter. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.18 EPS. Medical Properties Trust’s quarterly revenue was up 16.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. will post 0.78 EPS for the current year.

Medical Properties Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. Medical Properties Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -78.26%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 3.2% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 67,433 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $342,000 after purchasing an additional 2,085 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 151,116 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $766,000 after buying an additional 2,129 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc raised its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 464,296 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $2,321,000 after acquiring an additional 2,145 shares in the last quarter. waypoint wealth counsel raised its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 13.3% during the 4th quarter. waypoint wealth counsel now owns 18,808 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $94,000 after acquiring an additional 2,215 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 64.2% during the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 6,166 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 2,410 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.79% of the company’s stock.

Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, financing, and owning net-leased hospital facilities. Through sale-leaseback transactions, direct acquisitions and recapitalizations, the company provides capital to healthcare operators while maintaining long-term, triple-net lease agreements. Its portfolio encompasses general acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and other healthcare-related real estate assets and is structured to deliver stable, long-duration rental income streams.

Founded in 2003 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Medical Properties Trust completed its initial public offering in 2004.